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Domestic abuse: guidance and support for the armed forces community

Information and guidance for those affected by or dealing with cases of domestic abuse in the armed forces community.

Updates to this page

From:
Ministry of Defence
Published:
23 February 2015
Last updated:
22 May 2025
Show all updates

  1. Updated 'Important contacts'.

  2. Updated 'Important contacts'.

  3. Webpage updated with video, 'Domestic abuse and support in the MOD'; link to a list of MOD domestic abuse support services; and contact details for the RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service.

  4. JSP 913: Whole Force Policy on Domestic Abuse has been added to the collection under no defence for abuse. This policy sets out how Defence will respond to domestic abuse across the whole force. It is structured in two parts (direction and guidance).

  5. Updated contact information.

  6. Updated contact details for SSAFA.

  7. Added an Important contacts section to the page.

  8. Added a link to the guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) and domestic abuse.

  9. Added link to No defence for abuse: Domestic Abuse strategy 2018 to 2023.

  10. First published.

This site is for members of the armed forces community who are:

  • male or female victims
  • perpetrators looking to change their behaviour
  • military or civilian practitioners
  • chain of command
  • concerned family and friends

Video: Domestic abuse and support in the MOD

Access a list of MOD domestic abuse support services

In an emergency always call 999 in the UK.
Call 112 in the EU or check locally for other overseas countries.

How to recognise domestic abuse

Concerned family and friends

It can be difficult to know what to do if you suspect a friend or neighbour is a victim of domestic abuse. Advice on how to help and support a friend is available on the Women’s aid and ManKind Initiative websites.

Read more on how to support someone you know.

Information and guidance

Below is a range of resources providing information and guidance about domestic abuse and how to seek help.

Important contacts

Royal Navy Family and People Support (RN FPS):

Army Welfare Service (AWS):

RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service (PS&SWS):

*Aurora Armed Forces Helpline

Independent, confidential, and free helpline for all UK forces personnel and their families (including those based overseas) who are victims/survivors of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence or Stalking.

  • helpline and WhatsApp: +44 (0)333 0912 527
  • helpline hours (GMT): 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday
  • WhatsApp chat (GMT): Tuesday - 9am to 3pm / Wednesday and Thursday - 5pm to 8pm / Sunday - 10am to 2pm

To provide feedback and suggestions on how this website could be further developed please email People-AFFS-Safeguarding-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk.

Armed forces personnel

Additional information is available from the Home Office below.

Case studies

Practitioners handbook

No defence for abuse

The Ministry of Defence has published its strategy for 2018 to 2023.

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